List of active ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is a list of ships in active service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The JMSDF is one of the world's largest navies and the second largest navy in Asia in terms of fleet tonnage. As of 2022, the JMSDF operates a total of 155 vessels (including minor auxiliary vessels), including; four helicopter destroyers (or helicopter carriers), 36 destroyers, 10 small destroyers (or frigates), two frigates, six destroyer escorts (or corvettes), 22 attack submarines, 30 mine countermeasure vessels, six patrol vessels, three landing ship tanks, 8 training vessels and a fleet of various auxiliary ships. As of 2013, a procurement list added to the current National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) has revealed that, among other things, an additional 48 escort vessels of various classes are planned to be added to the MSDF fleet in the 2020s. In addition, as of 7 July 2013, it was being reported that plans were under way to procure two more Aegis equipped destroyers in order to bolster ongoing BMD efforts, the first to be contracted for in fiscal year 2015 and the other in fiscal year 2016. Submarine fleet Submarines Surface fleet Helicopter destroyers (de facto helicopter carrier/light aircraft carrier) - DDH/CVL Officially classed as "helicopter destroyers", these vessels have a full-length flight deck helicopter carrier configuration Landing ships Destroyers - DDG/DD The JMSDF uses the official term Destroyers despite some larger ships being analogous to cruisers and smaller vessels being analogues of frigates by most international classifications. Frigate Multi-Purpose/Mine - FFM Destroyer escorts - DE Mine countermeasure vessels Patrol vessels Training vessels Auxiliary fleet Replenishment ships Miscellaneous Future JMSDF vessels Authorized projects Authorized projects for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force include the ongoing construction of an improved AIP-type non-nuclear attack submarine class, the recapitalization of the JMSDF's frigate fleet units, and the acquisition of a pair of JMSDF-owned oil tankers and up to four amphibious tansports, as well as the pending construction of a dozen next-generation offshore patrol vessels (OPV) and two "Aegis system equipped ships" (ASEV) to provide dedicated sea-based ballistic missile defense (BMD) coverage of the Japanese home islands to replace the cancelled Aegis Ashore land-based BMD system. 29SS submarines This submarine class has a non-nuclear air-independent propulsion (AIP) propulsion plant using improved lithium-ion batteries for enhanced silencing and operational flexibility. These submarines will also have improved sonar and weapons systems.